How do I do a complete re-install of SiteBuilder Desktop?

In order to reinstall SiteBuilder to your computer you will need to completely delete the previous installation and install a fresh copy of SiteBuilder. This is also called a clean install. There are a lot of steps involved, particularly if you want to back up your data files, so you will need to follow every step.

Getting started

If you have not published all of your latest changes or pages, make sure to complete sections A, B, and C.

If you are sure that you have published all of your latest changes or pages, just complete section B.

The SiteBuilder Install Wizard will launch. Click Next to Download and Install SiteBuilder.

You will need to choose an install location for SiteBuilder. Click Next to begin install to the default location. Approximately 8 MBs of files will download to your computer during installation, so it may take several minutes on a dial-up connection. After the installation is completed, the following message appears: Click Finish to launch SiteBuilder.

Click Finish and SiteBuilder will start.

After SiteBuilder has started, enter your Login Name and Password, and click OK.

Under Open Site, select a site from the dropdown menu, and click OK.

Close SiteBuilder.

Note: Make sure you are connected to the Internet throughout this process. During installation SiteBuilder files will need to be downloaded and unpacked to your computer, so it may take several minutes to complete the process. If you are installing the .NET version of SiteBuilder, you'll need to have .NET 2.0 installed. Use the following links according to your system requirements:

SiteBuilder will normally run fine at this point. If it does not then there may be something on the computer interfering with the program, usually security/antivirus software. Just turning it off does not always prevent it from interfering so you will likely have to find the section in the software to add the SiteBuilde “exes” as program exceptions. Every program (security software) is different so you will need to look for a section to exclude programs from being blocked. If you can’t find it by clicking around in the program just you can Google it.

The exes that need to be added as program exceptions are all the ones in C:\Program Files (x86)\Homestead\SiteBuilder:
SiteBuilderLPX.exe
SiteBuilderLPXLauncher.exe
SiteBuilderLPXLauncherUpdated.exe
updater.exe
ForceUpdate.exe

I can't download and install sitebuilder on windows 8.1 laptop. I tried both versions above and below vista options and neither work. The one for vista says I need virtual machine and that will mess up things with windows 8.1.

Thanks Mike,
I did a full factory format on my laptop and did all the updates. Then I followed the new installation steps and SiteBuilder seems to be working on this windows 8.1 laptop. I'll keep using the desktop SiteBuilder since it's working. I'll post if any problems.. Thanks again,

SB+ does not have the "personal" widgets like hit counters, weather widgets etc., but they've added a much more modern template gallery and some other design tools, master templates, image editing (crop, round corners, shadow effects etc). It looks a lot simpler but it actually has more functionality than the desktop version.

Yes, Lite is different than Plus. Plus is far superior. Just reply here if you would like to convert the account for you.

It's very easy but it has to be done on our end. Other than the items mentioned above it will have the same functionality and a few newer features. It will look a little different so there will be a small learning curve to re-familiarize yourself but overall it functions the same way.

Once you use Sitebuilder You will find you can't do your work with the same ease as before. It will take you one hour to do the work in 15 minutes on sitebuilder. It's one big ass headache!! I will uninstall and reinstall before I will ever use sitebuilder plus!Site builder PLUS does not function the SAME WAY!! Not if you have built websites using extensive creativity. You will loose some of your work!!!

There's problem with Homestead which forced me to close the program and I can't update photography and I try fixing it and update again but I can't with my computer. I try using original computer that created the website in the first place but it still has the same problem.

I can get into sitebuilder and it seems normal. I've added some new pictures but when I go to review only a few of them show up and the others are just small "X". When I try to delete the new pictures the program locks up and I have to restart the program to get where I was and then the same thing all over again.

SiteBuilder Plus is web-based so there is nothing to install. It sounds like you are referring to the old desktop version. Can you tell us where you are running into problems, error messages etc? The instructions above may help.

We have two webmasters for our site. Both are running Win 7 SP1. One (me) has Homestead site builder Version 1 (.NET) built at 2014-01-31 11:15 and I can build with site builder.

The other webmaster cannot upgrade past Homestead site builder Version 1 (.NET) built at 2013-07-01 14:07, and cannot build with site builder. The Help indicates "if you are installing the .NET version of SiteBuilder, you'll need to have .NET 2.0 installed. Use the following links (etc.)". I have .NET framework 2.0 Version 2.0.50727.5420. What is the minimum or recommended version of .NET framework 2.0? Tanx! TY

2.0 should have been the minimum, and that is also the minimum that is on Windows 7 unless you build or upgraded your machine on your own. Some newer Windows 7 machines may even have 3.5. I would recommend using 2.0 minimum as stated above.

Also, if you have multiple users working on the same site, from different computers and locations, its recommended to use the Plus version which is web based.

Hi Tom0203, We are doing some research on this right now. It looks like there may be some sort of change Microsoft pushed out causing this problem. We'll reply here with an update when we get confirmation and/or a resolution.

Since updating Windows 8, my security settings will not allow me to use Homestead site builder. It says that the exe file can't load. I tried reloading the program but that isn't working either and the website editing is terrible. I can't update half of my website on line. My page also won't use Java because of security issues.

Why is the download for Site Builder throwing an Error 404 for File not found? http://install.homestead.com/~site/In... ?
Windows 7 machine I was asked to upgrade when I logged into Homestead. Had Site Builder already installed.

I am sorry tat it didn't work. Through this channel, that is about all I can do to help. It works almost every time.

The only other thing I can do for you now is to convert your account to Sitebuilder Plus, a new online editor. If you want to remain on the desktop version, then I suggest that you contact support during the week.

Hi Michele3360, It looks like there is something on the computer blocking the program from running. This is usually caused by security software. If you look at the reinstallation instructions above, notice at the end there are several ".exe" files. My recommendation is to add these as exceptions to your security software to make sure they are not being blocked. You may have to go through with a full reinstall as shown above. If this does not work, you always have the option of converting to the newer SiteBuilder Plus which runs in your browser so there is nothing to install.

When I am editing a page..adding text...moving it with my mouse..the text box moves shaky and out of control..lands wherever..and when I add text.. the text box shoots to the top of the page...any ideas?

Same as. Many of the above. Sitebuilder desktop version constantly crashes as closed when updating pages. We have used this for more than 10 years without any problems but If the desktop version continues to fail (we have done 2 clean reinstalls ) this is likely to be our last year of using it.

Most of our work is in Thailand with a kids charity where internet connections are unreliable. the desktop version enables us to edit the site and publish when we do have a good connection. the plus site would not work for us (unfortunately) as the connection is never reliable for long enough enough (not Homestead's fault). So without a reliable desktop version I guess it is time to move along.I have as a last resort just tried a forced update, so fingers crossed that will help!

I have been having this issue since last year and I did the reinstall, having the same issue...can't update because it crashes every 2 minutes...seemed like I am not the only one having this issue...don't you have a solution yet?

Maila7728, Make sure you follow the instructions at the very end and add the following files as exceptions to your security software.

The exes that need to be added as program exceptions are all the ones in C:\Program Files (x86)\Homestead\SiteBuilder:
SiteBuilderLPX.exe
SiteBuilderLPXLauncher.exe
SiteBuilderLPXLauncherUpdated.exe
updater.exe
ForceUpdate.exe

If this does not work, the best solution is to convert to the newer SiteBuilder Plus.

I just installed my site builder on my new computer which has Windows 8.1 as its OS. Everything started out OK but when I open Sitebuilder it starts to "check files" and gets about halfway through and freezes. Then I can't even close sitebuilder without the task manager. How can I get this thing to work?

It sounds like there could be something on your computer blocking it from running or performing a certain task. Sometimes security software can cause this problem. As a first step, try temporarily turning of your security software (virus scan/firewall), and then opening Sitebuilder to see if that is the cause. If not then you'll want to do a clean reinstall.

If that still does not work, then you always have the option of switching to the newer SiteBuilder Plus which is web based so eliminates the installation issues on various OS's.

Agreed - it is extremely excruciatingly and painfully slow! Why does the free version of Sitebuilder (the one with the ads) work soooo much better and waaaay faster? I've started using that (creating new web sites, of course) rather than deal with the hassle of trying to continue with the old Sitebuilder, which I am still annually paying for.

Any version of Sitebuilder is provided free of charge when you have a website hosting plan. Sitebuilder Plus is the newest version of the program and is designed for more current computers. There is no charge specifically for any Sitebuilder

Just in case it is of any help to anyone I also had the problem of the desktop version constantly crashing even after a clean reinstall. Even after a clean reinstall it keeps asking to update the version but after clicking update it only opens the Sitebuilder program and does not actually download any update.

I have started reducing the sizes of the images before importing them into Sitebuilder rather than importing the full size file and letting Sitebuilder reduce it. Since doing this the program has been stable and with no speed issues.

With newer digital cameras, I often see images 5-10 megabytes in size. If you place 2-5 images this large in the site it will cause a significant slow down. Sitebuilder resizes images, but by making a copy, so the original is still on the site. Your process solves for that problem.

Keep in mind, that no matter what your Internet Service Provider says your speed is, they are talking about download speed. They all provide upload speeds that are a fraction of the download speed.

To clarify, I was not referring to the actual speed for uploading the pages to the server, but by reducing the image sizes before importing them considerable reduces the time it takes to draw the images on the page.

Drew I have shut down and restarted my computer ( every night) but the old version of site builder is still painfully slow to load. In fact, I had to let it load all night long one time just to get it to open. i would like to try site builder plus but you're telling me I wouldn't have to pay for it? and that there's no desktop version?

You are already using the desktop version. Your images are already pretty well optimized. I think in your case, it is the comparrison process causing the slow down. You have several thousand files to look at for Sitebuilder to load.

We can convert your account to Sitebuilder Plus and your bill will be the same. Just make sure you have published all your changes and let us know you are ready to convert. Then log out of your account. We will let you know when we have completed the conversion.

Drew, I had to let sitebuilder open all night to get it to load but as soon as it opened it froze before I could publish anything. I guess I'll just have to make my changes again once SB+ is connected to my account.Thanks for everything.

I am sorry about that. I don't know why it took that long. I opened your site in the desktop version this morning, and it was very slow, but I got it launched. Let's try Sitebuilder Plus and you can see how that works. We can always switch back and see if we can improve the speed in some other way.

Ok, You can go ahead and log in and Homestead. The log in button is at the top right. Once logged in, click on Websites manager on the left. Select the site you want to edit from the drop down. Wait for the screen to refresh, and then hit the Edit site button.

Why does my homestead site builder shut down? It is driving me around the bend. I have it down load on my computer and I only get perhaps 30 to 60 seconds of doing changes and then a bar comes up and says Sitebuilder needs to close, gerrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! Any help most appreciated

There could be a number of reasons for this. Take a look at the clean installation instructions on this topic. Notice at the end there are a list of ".exe" files. In some cases it's the security software on your computer that could be causing the program to stop. You will want to add these files as exceptions to your security software.

Also, you always have the option of converting to SiteBuilder Plus which is web based so eliminates the installation issues. Let us know if you want to change.

I have been trying for some time now to access my website and it tells me it needs to update the program so it starts to go through the process and then a message comes up "Site Builder LPX.Updater.exe has stopped working. Windows will close the program until a solution can be found. And the site closes!!!!!!! This is frustrating. Are Homestead having a problem?

Sharron3405, You'll want to do a clean install and be sure to add the "exe" files shown at the end of the instructions, as exceptions to your security software. If for some reason you still have problems you can always have us convert the account to the Plus (web based) version.

Sharon - Homestead has been having problems for several months with their hosting program. Everything they've told me to try has not worked, including this "clean install": thing. They've made some major changes in the Sitebuilder program quite some time ago, and ever since then, I've noticed a tremendous increase in the number of customer problems and complaints. Hopefully, you'll get resolution soon. Good Luck

Sharron3405, For further clarification, the SiteBuilder desktop version has not had any significant updates for several years. The last major upgrades occurred several years ago when Windows XP was the latest operating system. We released the web based version (SiteBuilder Plus) as an option that would be more universal as it runs in your web browser and will therefor also work on Mac computers.

Since then, Microsoft has released Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1. With each version it seems that the desktop version is becoming less and less compatible as it's simply not designed to run on the newer operating systems.

Web design and technology in general changes rapidly. In the long run you'll find it in your best interest to switch to the Plus version. Many new websites (and all major browsers), including our SiteBuilder Plus are now using and supporting HTML5 which is becoming the new standard for web design. This is one reason that some of the old elements from the desktop version have been removed from the Plus version. Equally this is what has enable us to add some of the new features such as image handling effects that allow you to rotate, crop, add shadows, frames etc to images. Also, the Plus version will allow you to insert your own custom, or 3rd party HTML5 code which the old version will not.

I get that, however, don't we, as paying costumers get an option to get
the desktop version as we prefer it? With all these issues that you are
aware of, for many, many months and affecting many of your
costumers....why not get an update for the desktop? I really used to
like homestead, I have been a costumer for many years, but I will just finish my paid service which will end in
December. Homestead should be able to adapt to windows upgrade and not
leave costumers with one option, which is to switch. I heard that once I
switch to the website version, and decide to transfer to another host, it will
be almost impossible....what do you think Mike? Do you know how hard it will be to switch to another web host if I were to switch to the online version of Sitebuilder?

Hi Maila7728, I can not comment on the reasons why our management team and developers have not made updates to the desktop version, but, by switching to the Plus version it will not make any difference if you decide to switch to another host. I do know that there are a lot of changes being made within our organization so that in the future we will be able to offer a greater line up of products and services.

One of the things that most DIY webmasters run into all the time is that most hosting companies have their own proprietary site building software. I don't know of a single one that is compatible with another. So when someone wants to transfer a site from Homestead, or too Homestead, they will always need to rebuild the site with the new companies software. One exception would be if the site were written in code without the use of a website builder which is rarely done these days. Changing from the desktop version to the Plus version has not relevance as far as transferring a site.

I had Homestead switch me to the SB+ version a couple of days ago and while I like most of it the one thing I really HATE about it is that I don't have access to all the different fonts I have on my computer the way I did with the desktop version. Now somehow I have to find the time to go through 100+ pages of my websites and convert the fonts to something I can live with in the new SB. If they could somehow manage to give me access to my fonts with SB+ it would be near perfect.Also the first time I opened SB+ it took such a long time opening my site (it is quite large) that Homestead timed out and shut down and I had to start all over again. It does run better on Internet Explorer than on Google Chrome.

Sitebuilder Plus will definitely take a longer time to open the first time as it has some work to do from the conversion. It should be faster afterwards, but the larger the site, the slower it will be.

Browser success seems to be pretty variable by user. IT might have to do with various plugins, we are not quite sure, but most people seem to enjoy Firefox the most. That said, if Internet Explorer works for you, then go with it.

There are many things that went into the font decisions with Sitebuilder Plus. Read our topic on fonts. Look for the reponses from Aaron Hopkins. He does a great job of explaining. If you really want additional fonts, Google does have some web based fonts that you should be able to implement, but it does require using some code, which they will provided to you.

If you have further questions about any of this, please create a new topic or search to see if it already exists, as this is a bit off topic for this thread.

GU7083, The easiest fix is to upgrade to the web based version, SiteBuilder Plus. There's not cost to change so just reply here if you want us to convert the account. Otherwise, you will want to do a clean reinstall as explained here.

Like many others, can't get sitebuilder to run on my W8 machine.Given that I've tried all the suggested hints, I guess my only option seems to be to get switched over to Sitebuilder Plus. Can you make that happen?